7 Things to Know About Choosing a USB Webcam

   If you use apps like Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc., you can also use your webcam to stream live video to a larger audience. This webcam buying guide will teach you everything you need to know to choose the best device for your needs.

Overview

  With COVID-19 keeping people at home for longer and many companies shifting work to permanently remote locations, the use of webcams is a priority for efficient and engaging face-to-face remote communication.

  With isolation and remote work advancing, having the right USB webcam is more important than ever. Webcams have become part of everyday life.

When to use a webcam

  People use USB webcams for different things, from school to work to socializing; even non-USB webcams can be affixed to your computer. While most laptops have their own built-in webcams, these tend to be relatively low-quality, have blurry images, and are often not easy to position properly.

  With fewer space constraints, external webcams typically have higher-quality components that offer better resolution, speed, fluidity, color balance, autofocus, light correction and noise reduction, and just the right amount of framing.

The 7 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a USB Webcam for Streaming

Find out what features you should prioritize when looking for a new webcam, including:

1. Resolution

  The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. A standard webcam has 1080p, which is decent, but nothing beats 4K Webcam. That'll give you the clearest picture possible with your USB webcam. 4K webcams are becoming available and these should give razor sharp video. It gives the option to crop the video if required.

  Here are the three most common webcam resolutions:

• 1280 x 720 pixels/720p (HD Ready)
• 1920 x 1080 pixels/1080p (Full HD)
• 3840 x 2160 pixel/4K (UHD)

2. Frame Rate

  The frame rate dictates how smooth the video output will be. Higher fps gives you more fluid recording and streaming and less choppiness. Common frame rates are 30fps and 60 fps.Although 30fps should be OK, 60 fps will give a smoother picture.

3. Field of View (FOV)

  Typically, USB webcams have fields of view of 65 to 90 degrees. A narrow FOV is perfect for capturing people's faces, while a wide FOV helps record a conference room.

  Often a mid range figure is good - a common field of view in this range is 78°, and it is a balance of what you want and what is available.   Here is a basic rundown on a field of view:

•     60-degree FOV captures someone directly in front of the computer
•     78-degrees FOV can capture two people in front of the computer
•     90 degrees can capture a conference table and/or whiteboard for presentations
•     Vertical video is capable of panorama shots.

4. Microphone

  An often-overlooked feature is the webcam microphone. Webcam microphones are often designed to capture the sounds of the entire room and easily capture background sounds.

  If you live in a noisy environment or working in the same room as someone else, the best sound can often be gained from a good quality external microphone. It can cost extra money, but if a good microphone is bought, then it can significantly enhance the sound.

5. Webcam Lens

The wider the aperture, the better the picture is likely to be. The bigger the lens, the better the picture. In line with other photographic lenses, the it is measured as an "f" number. Many webcam lenses have an aperture of between F2.0 and F2.8.

The lens determines how much light reaches the sensor. In other words, the more light hits the sensor, the clearer you’ll be in low lighting.

Plastic Lens vs. Glass Lens

If you’re looking to use your webcam for streaming at 2K/4K, you would want to avoid a plastic lens. Glass lenses allows webcam up to 4K and it is perfect for content creators or anyone looking to get the clearest, cleanest video and image.

Besides, webcams with plastic lenses are also more easily scratched than webcams with glass lenses.

6. Interface

Virtually all webcams use a USB interface. This can easily be plugged into the computer - virtually every computer has USB. Otherwise, an adaptor may be required.

Most webcams will use a USB Type A connector, and normally a USB 2 will provide sufficient data rate. If your computer has a USB 3 interface using Type C connectors then an adaptor or even a USB hub with USB Type A connectors will be needed.

7. Fixed or variable focus

Many budget webcams are fixed focus, and also the wider the field of view the less critical focus is, so that is one reason why budget webcams tend to be wider angle.

These webcams are set to work well if you are sitting in front of the camera, but outside this distance, things may get a little less sharp.

Summary

  A webcam doesn't have to cost a fortune, but buying a reasonable one will pay off more than buying the cheapest camera on the market. We hope this webcam buying guide helped you understand all the specs and features you need. More high quality USB webcams can be found on PHONEFIX.

  If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know using the comments section. Our team of experts will help you. You can also post your thoughts and opinions in the comment box.